Nuts May Cut Cravings for Sweets and Fast Food

Level 2 · Checked Lesson by: Aron Thode Source:healthline.com

How to study this lesson

Ask: (1) Do you try to eat healthy food? (2) Do you eat snacks between meals?

A pile of mixed nuts on a white surface.
A pile of mixed nuts.

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A new study has found that a daily nut snack may cut cravings for sweets and fast food. It may also help people choose healthier foods.

The journal Nutrients published the study on December 2. The researchers followed young adults who had a higher risk of health problems. These problems can include high blood pressure, belly fat, and abnormal cholesterol. They can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

For 16 weeks, the young adults ate mixed tree nuts every day between meals. After the study, they reported fewer urges for sugary and salty snacks. They also wanted fast food less often. They ate more protein-rich foods, and their overall diet improved.

Kezia Joy, a food expert, said nuts have fat, protein, and fiber. These nutrients digest slowly, so blood sugar stays more steady. Many people feel full longer, so cravings can drop.

Public health professor Jacqueline A. Vernarelli suggested about a quarter cup of nuts. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts are good choices. She said people should choose whole nuts that are raw or dry-roasted. She also recommended unsalted nuts because salted nuts can have a lot of salt.

Allergic to tree nuts? Vernarelli said seeds can be a good option too. She suggested sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. They also have healthy fat, protein, and fiber.

Vocab List

  • Craving (n.) — A strong wish to eat or have something.
  • Urge (n.) — A strong feeling that makes you want to do something.
  • Abnormal (adj.) — Not normal; different from what is usual.
  • Cholesterol (n.) — A fat-like substance in your blood. Too much can be bad for your heart.
  • Fiber (n.) — A part of plant food that helps digestion.
  • Steady (adj.) — Not changing much; staying stable.
  • Unsalted (adj.) — With no salt added.
  • Option (n.) — A choice you can pick.
  • Cravings (n.) — Strong wants for particular foods.

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

A new study has found that a daily nut snack may cut (1) __________ for sweets and fast food. It may also help people choose healthier foods.

The journal Nutrients published the study on December 2. The researchers followed young adults who had a higher risk of health problems. These problems can include high blood pressure, belly fat, and abnormal (2) __________. They can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

For 16 weeks, the young adults ate (3) __________ tree nuts every day between meals. After the study, they reported fewer urges for sugary and salty snacks. They also wanted fast food less often. They ate more (4) __________ foods, and their overall diet improved.

Kezia Joy, a food expert, said nuts have fat, protein, and fiber. These nutrients digest slowly, so blood sugar stays more (5) __________. Many people feel full longer, so cravings can drop.

Public health professor Jacqueline A. Vernarelli suggested about a quarter cup of nuts. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts are good choices. She said people should choose whole nuts that are raw or dry-roasted. She also recommended unsalted nuts because salted nuts can have a lot of salt.

Allergic to tree nuts? Vernarelli said seeds can be a good option too. She suggested (6) __________ seeds and pumpkin seeds. They also have healthy fat, protein, and fiber.

True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • The study followed young adults for 16 weeks.
    The article says the young adults ate nuts daily for 16 weeks.
  • The article says the nut snack may increase cravings for sweets.
    The article says nuts may cut cravings for sweets and fast food.
  • Vernarelli suggested eating about a quarter cup of nuts.
    The article gives a suggested amount of about a quarter cup.
  • Seeds can be a choice for people with nut allergies.
    The article suggests seeds for people who cannot eat tree nuts.

True or False

1. The study followed young adults for 16 weeks. T / F

2. The article says the nut snack may increase cravings for sweets. T / F

3. Vernarelli suggested eating about a quarter cup of nuts. T / F

4. Seeds can be a choice for people with nut allergies. T / F

Put Events in Order

Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (4):

  • ___ After the study, many people reported fewer cravings for sugary snacks.

  • ___ Researchers followed young adults with a higher risk of health problems.

  • ___ Experts suggested a quarter cup of whole, unsalted nuts.

  • ___ The group ate mixed tree nuts every day for 16 weeks.

Vocab List
  • Craving (n.)
  • Urge (n.)
  • Abnormal (adj.)
  • Cholesterol (n.)
  • Fiber (n.)
  • Steady (adj.)
  • Unsalted (adj.)
  • Option (n.)
  • Cravings (n.)

Vocab Match

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Craving

2. Cholesterol

3. Fiber

4. Steady

5. Unsalted

a) With no salt added.

b) Not changing much; staying stable.

c) A part of plant food that helps digestion.

d) A fat-like substance in your blood. Too much can be bad for your heart.

e) A strong wish to eat or have something.

Sentence Completion

  1. Use the past simple tense.

  2. Use the present simple and choose the correct preposition.

1.
1.
2.

Sentence Completion

Choose the correct word for each gap:

  1. Use the past simple tense.

    The researchers A) __ __ __ __ __ the group for 16 weeks.

    A. follow / follows / followed


  2. Use the present simple and choose the correct preposition.

    Nuts B) __ __ __ __ __ fat, protein, and fiber, so aim C) __ __ __ __ __ about a quarter cup.

    B. contain / contains / contained

    C. for / at / to


Discussion Questions

  1. Did you learn anything while reading this article?
  2. Do you get cravings for foods? What food do you crave most often?
  3. What is a good snack to bring to work or school?
  4. How often do you eat fast food?
  5. What's your favorite nut?
  6. Do you think nuts are better than chips? Why?
  7. Do you look at food labels? Why or why not?
  8. The article mentions fiber. What foods with fiber do you eat?
  9. Are you allergic to any foods? How do you stay safe?
  10. Have you tried sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds? What do you think?

Answers

Listening: (1) cravings, (2) cholesterol, (3) mixed, (4) protein-rich, (5) steady, (6) sunflower

True or False:

  1. True. The article says the young adults ate nuts daily for 16 weeks.
  2. False. The article says nuts may cut cravings for sweets and fast food.
  3. True. The article gives a suggested amount of about a quarter cup.
  4. True. The article suggests seeds for people who cannot eat tree nuts.

Put Events in Order:

  1. Researchers followed young adults with a higher risk of health problems.
  2. The group ate mixed tree nuts every day for 16 weeks.
  3. After the study, many people reported fewer cravings for sugary snacks.
  4. Experts suggested a quarter cup of whole, unsalted nuts.

Vocabulary:

  1. Craving: A strong wish to eat or have something.

  2. Cholesterol: A fat-like substance in your blood. Too much can be bad for your heart.

  3. Fiber: A part of plant food that helps digestion.

  4. Steady: Not changing much; staying stable.

  5. Unsalted: With no salt added.

Sentence Completion:

  1. A) followed

  2. B) contain;

    C) for

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